Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

The Company’s cash is deposited with financial institutions located throughout the United States and at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company considers all highly liquid investments, which may include money market fund shares, with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash is comprised of escrowed funds deposited with a bank relating to capital expenditures.

The carrying amount reported on the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash approximates fair value.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown in our consolidated statements of cash flows:


	December 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,921,779	$	6,363,610
Restricted cash	$	106,767		151,397
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as shown in our consolidated statements of cash flows	$	7,028,546	$	6,515,007

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"). In order to maintain its qualification as a REIT, among other things, the Company is required to distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain tests regarding the nature of its income and assets. As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax with respect to that portion of its income which meets certain criteria and is distributed annually to stockholders. The Company plans to continue to operate so that it meets the requirements for taxation as a REIT. Many of these requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. If the Company were to fail to meet these requirements, it would be subject to federal income tax. In management’s opinion, the requirements to maintain these elections are being met. The Company is subject to certain state and local taxes.

The Company has elected to treat its corporate subsidiary, SSG TRS LLC, as a taxable REIT subsidiary (“TRS”). In general, the Company’s TRS may perform additional services for tenants and may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. A TRS is subject to federal and state and local corporate income tax.

The Company recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. The Company has reviewed its tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded or disclosed related to uncertain tax

positions taken on federal, state, and local income tax returns for open tax years (2020 – 2022), or is expected to be taken in the Company’s 2023 tax returns.

Marketable Equity Securities

Investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value. Gains or losses from changes in the fair value of equity securities are recorded in net income, until the investment is sold or otherwise disposed. The specific identification method is used to determine the realized gain or loss on investments sold or otherwise disposed.

Fair value is determined using a valuation hierarchy generally by reference to an active trading market, using quoted closing or bid prices. Judgment is used to ascertain if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets have become inactive.

Real Estate Assets

Real estate assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Direct and allowable internal costs associated with the development, construction, renovation, and improvement of real estate assets are capitalized. Property taxes and other costs associated with development incurred during a construction period are capitalized. A construction period begins when expenditures for a real estate asset have been made and activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use are in progress. A construction period ends when an asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.

Acquisition costs are generally capitalized for acquisitions that qualify as asset acquisitions. When properties are acquired, the purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values. Allocations to land, building and improvements, and equipment are recorded based upon their respective fair values as estimated by management.

In allocating the purchase price for an acquisition, the Company determines whether the acquisition includes intangible assets or liabilities. The Company allocates a portion of the purchase price to an intangible asset attributed to the value of in-place leases. This intangible is generally amortized to expense over the expected remaining term of the respective leases. Substantially all of the leases in place at acquired properties are at market rates, as the majority of the leases are month-to-month contracts.

Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major replacements and betterments that improve or extend the life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the buildings and improvements, which are generally between 5 and 39 years.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company carries all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Fair value of derivatives is determined by reference to observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. The Company’s use of derivative instruments has been limited to an interest rate cap agreement. For derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, the unrealized gains and losses are included in interest expense in the accompanying statements of operations. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivatives is initially reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company’s balance sheets and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. The valuation analysis of

the interest rate cap reflects the contractual terms of derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses primarily consist of property tax accruals, unearned rental income, and trade payables.

Revenue and Expense Recognition

Revenues from stores, which are primarily composed of rental income earned pursuant to month-to-month leases for storage space, as well as associated late charges and administrative fees, are recognized as earned in accordance with ASC Topic 842, Leases. Promotional discounts reduce rental income over the promotional period. Ancillary revenues from sales of merchandise and tenant insurance and other income are recognized as earned in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606").

The Company's management fees are earned subject to the terms of the related property management services agreements (“PSAs”). These PSAs provide that the Company will perform management services, which include leasing and operating the property and providing accounting, marketing, banking, maintenance and other services. These services are provided in exchange for monthly management fees, which are based on a percentage of revenues collected from stores owned by third parties. PSAs generally have original terms of three years, after which management services are provided on a month-to-month basis unless terminated. Management fees are due on the last day of each calendar month that management services are provided.

The Company accounts for the management services provided to a customer as a single performance obligation which are rendered over time each month in accordance with ASC 606. The total amount of consideration from the contract is variable as it is based on monthly revenues, which are influenced by multiple factors, some of which are outside the Company's control. No disaggregated information relating to PSAs is presented as the Company currently has only one contract.

General and administrative expenses and property operations expenses, which may include among other expenses, property taxes, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and other expenses, are expensed as incurred. The Company accrues for property tax expense based upon actual amounts billed and, in some circumstances, estimates and historical trends when bills or assessments have not been received from the taxing authorities or such bills and assessments are in dispute.

Evaluation of Asset Impairment

The Company evaluates its real estate assets and intangible assets, if any, for indicators of impairment. If there are indicators of impairment and we determine that the asset is not recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows to be received through the asset’s remaining life (or, if earlier, the expected disposal date), we record an impairment charge to the extent the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value or net proceeds from expected disposal.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually and whenever relevant events, circumstances, and other related factors indicate that fair value may be less that carrying amounts. If it is determined that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the amount that would be allocated to goodwill if the reporting unit were acquired for estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded. There were no indicators of impairment to goodwill and real estate assets and no impairment charges were recorded during 2023 or 2022.

Stock-based Compensation

The measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards to employees and independent directors are based on estimated fair values. Awards granted are measured at fair value and any compensation expense is recognized over the service periods of each award. For awards granted which contain a graded vesting schedule and the only condition for vesting is a service condition, compensation cost is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period as if the award was, in substance, a single award. For awards granted for which vesting is subject to a performance condition, compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period if and when the Company concludes it is probable that the performance condition will be

achieved. The estimated number of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised.

Loan Procurement Costs

Loan procurement costs on the Company's note payable are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. The loan procurement costs related to the note payable are amortized using the effective interest method over the life of the loan. If there is not an associated debt liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, the costs are recorded as an asset net of accumulated amortization. Loan procurement costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facility remain in line of credit issuance costs, net of amortization on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The costs related to the line of credit facility are amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, over the estimated life of the related debt.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). ASU 2020-04 contains practical expedients for reference rate reform related activities that impact debt, leases, derivatives and other contracts. The guidance in ASU 2020-04 is optional and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. ASU 2020-04 is effective upon issuance, and the provisions generally can be applied prospectively as of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024. The adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.